Cambodia In Depth

Days

12

Price from

€2,085EUR

Delve deeper into Cambodia on this unforgettable journey from Phmon Penh to Angkor.

From the wondrous temples of Angkor to the dark legacy of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia is a country that exudes history from every corner. Between Phnomh Penh and Siem Reap, this journey takes you away from the well-worn tourist trails and into the provinces, where the heart and soul of the country is found in smiling Khmer villagers, hidden temples and sun-kissed fields of rice and bamboo. Taste and cook traditional culinary delights, witness farmers on their daily rituals and join Buddhist monks in their sacred blessings on this inspiring 12-day journey.

Cambodia In Depth

Delve deeper into Cambodia on this unforgettable journey from Phmon Penh to Angkor.

From the wondrous temples of Angkor to the dark legacy of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia is a country that exudes history from every corner. Between Phnomh Penh and Siem Reap, this journey takes you away from the well-worn tourist trails and into the provinces, where the heart and soul of the country is found in smiling Khmer villagers, hidden temples and sun-kissed fields of rice and bamboo. Taste and cook traditional culinary delights, witness farmers on their daily rituals and join Buddhist monks in their sacred blessings on this inspiring 12-day journey.

Travel to Kampot, where an unforgettable sunset river cruise is only the beginning. Wander the surrounding countryside, visit the Kampot Pepper Project, stop by a 7th-century cave temple and stroll along Kep Beach

Discover local tastes and sights in rural Battambang on a remork (motor-rickshaw) ride

Join monks in their sacred water blessing ritual, burning incense and offering lotus flowers, in a working monastery near Phnom Penh

Witness the magic of Angkor, the legendary Khmer temple complex. Ample time at the site allows for in-depth viewing of marvels such as the Bayon, Ta Prohm and the incredible Angkor Wat

Learn kitchen secrets from local Khmer, with a Cambodian cooking class and three course meal out in the countryside around Siem Reap

Is this trip right for you?

The bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge is a painful but important part of Cambodian history to confront. If you would rather not visit the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, simply let your leader know.

You will visit a number of temples on this trip, and this requires a level of modesty. Be sure to bring clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

It’s important to prepare for hot and sticky temperatures during the day and cooler climates in the evening. Layers are the best way to tackle this disparity in weather.

Please note sometimes the order of your included activities in Siem Reap may change due to weather, season or other factors. The changes are made to give you the best possible experiences and to get you to the places at the best time. Your leader will advise of any changes to the order of your included activities on day one at your group meeting.

Gallery

Itinerary

Sua s'dei. Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. You'll be transferred to your hotel – check with hotel reception for more information about your important group meeting this evening. If you have free time in the afternoon, perhaps stroll the streets of Phnom Penh and explore the city, taking in the interesting French colonial architecture. The National Museum, with its collection of classic Khmer craftsmanship, is well worth a visit. Dinner tonight will be at the restaurant run by the Friends organisation. You might decide to go for a drink at the Foreign Correspondents' Club afterwards.

Notes: The restaurant run by Friends International is closed on public and school holidays. Alternative dinner arrangements will be made at these times.

Accommodation

Patio Hotel or similar (1 night)

Included Activities

Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer

Meals Included

Today a full city tour introduces you to the sights of Phnom Penh, a city that lies near the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are home to King Sihamoni and are closed to the public. You will, however, be able to visit the Silver Pagoda that lies in the palace complex, which is the most sacred temple in the country. Confront Cambodia's tragic past today with a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. It's estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured here. You will also head out to the Choeung Ek Memorial, where a stupa made up of some 8,000 human skulls marks the site of the infamous Killing Fields, the execution ground for the torture victims of Tuol Sleng. Today you also travel out of town to a working Monastery to learn more about the life of a Monk and Theravada Buddhism. Meet the Monks and hear about their daily life and why they joined the Pagoda, make merit by burning incense and offering lotus flowers, enjoy a sacred water blessing for good luck and prosperity, receive a red band around your wrist to keep you safe in your travels, and see the pagoda art depicting the life of Buddha and his teachings.

Accommodation

Patio Hotel or similar (1 night)

Included Activities

Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Prison Museum (S21)

Phnom Penh - Choeung Ek (Killing Fields)

Phnom Penh - Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda

Phnom Penh - Buddhist monastery visit

Optional Activities

Phnom Penh - National Museum - USD10

Meals Included

Drive south along National Road 2 in a private mini van through the town of Takeo towards Kampot, one of Cambodia's most attractive old towns, (approx travel time is 4 hours) . Arrive in Kampot, where the afternoon is free for your own relaxation – perhaps enjoy some coffee on the riverfront. Then, in the late afternoon, you will take off on a local river boat up the Kampot River. See fishing boats returning home and people’s daily life on the banks of the river. As the sun sets over the Elephant Mountain Range, the engines will be turned off so the sounds of rural Cambodia can be enjoyed. As you head back to town you may be lucky enough to see fireflies in the bushes lighting up the night sky.

Accommodation

Kep Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Kampot - Sunset cruise

Optional Activities

Kampot - Phnom Chisor - USD2

Kampot - Tamao Wildlife Santuary - USD2

Meals Included

Enjoy a day out in the countryside. You will visit the Kampot Pepper Project and learn why Kampot pepper has been acknowledged by international chefs as the world’s best. Also visit the Kampot salt field, the only salt field in Cambodia. A short walk through the rice fields, and a climb, provides a lovely outlook over the surrounding countryside. A few steps later and you enter the mouth of Phnom Chhnork limestone cave which has a small 7th-century brick temple inside it. You will also enjoy a walk along the beach at Kep, and explore the old buildings near the ocean front. The town was Cambodia's most popular and prestigious beach town from the early 1900s until the 1960s. During the Khmer Rouge years many of Kep's mansions and villas were destroyed but the ghostly remains of many still stand as a silent reminder.

Accommodation

Kep Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Kep - Crab Market visit

Kampot - Countryside tour

Kampot - Phnom Chhngork

Optional Activities

Kampot - Traditional massage - USD5

Meals Included

Enjoy free time in the morning. Return to Phnom Penh by private van (approximately 5–6 hours, including stops). After lunch, it's time for an essential Phnom Penh experience – a cyclo ride through the city's streets. This exhilarating activity allows you to see Phnom Penh from a different angle, through the eyes of the locals. The town is an interesting mix of romantic Indo-Chinese influences, modern bustle and friendly folk, and you will notice things on two wheels you wouldn't otherwise.

Accommodation

Patio Hotel or similar (1 night)

Included Activities

Phnom Penh - Cyclo tour

Meals Included

Travel by private bus through the countryside to Battambang (approximately 4.5–5 hours). There will be stops along the way to see local pottery-making and silversmithing. You will also gain an insight into claypot making in Kampong Chhang en route. Cambodia's second-largest city, Battambang, (pronounced Battambong) is an attractive riverside town with traces of French elegance, friendly Khmer people and well-preserved colonial architecture. In the afternoon, head to Prasat Phnom Banan Winery, Cambodia's first winemaking enterprise. Perhaps indulge in a little taste before visiting Wat Bai Dom Ram, a large temple known for attracting large fruit bats to its surrounds. If you're lucky, you might see thousands of these creatures feeding off the trees as the sun sets.

Accommodation

Battambang Resort or similar (1 night)

Optional Activities

Battambang - Cooking Class - AUD8

Meals Included

Travelling by remork (Cambodian tuk-tuk), explore the beautiful surrounding countryside of Battambang today. Stop along the way to visit the village of Wat Kor. The village is known for its historic stilted wooden houses some of which pre-date French colonial times. The large wooden floor boards are shiny from generations of feet walking across them and the owner’s small collection of antiques and agricultural tools paint a picture of Cambodia in the early 1900s. Then it's off to see some small cottage industries producing rice paper, dried banana, sticky rice cooked in bamboo, and fish paste (Cambodia’s equivalent of vegemite or marmite).

Note: The Bamboo Train rail is currently under construction until further notice, and no longer a possible optional activity. The project to repair and relocate the rail is forecast for completion by 2020.

Accommodation

Battambang Resort or similar (1 night)

Included Activities

Battambang - Countryside guided tour

Battambang - Prasat Phnom Banon Winery tour & tasting

Optional Activities

Battambang - Phare Ponleu Selpak Centre - USD8

Meals Included

Drive from Battambang to Siem Reap by private minivan (approximately 4 hours). After a break for lunch, head out to visit a farming community near the Tonle Sap lake. You'll get a chance to meet the locals, see traditional Cambodian stilt homes, explore the rice fields and learn about daily life in Cambodia before engaging in a traditional cooking class in the evening. You'll prepare a three course meal for yourself and pick up a few Khmer kitchen secrets along the way.

Accommodation

Included Activities

Meals Included

Spend a full day among the amazing temples of Angkor on a guided tour. Angkor Thom, the 'Great Royal City', is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. The impressive Bayon temple is the centrepiece. The famous Angkor Wat is the largest and most complete structure, whereas Ta Prohm, with trees embedded in its stone structure, has a different kind of beauty. For lunch today, enjoy a meal prepared by students at the Sala Bai Hotel School. In the evening, you have the option to attend a performance of Phare, the Cambodian Circus, a riveting way to end the day.

Notes: The Sala Bai Hotel School is closed on public holidays and school holidays. On these days, an alternative restaurant will be used.

Optional Activities

Meals Included

Embrace a very early start today if you wish to experience a sunrise visit to the Angkor complex. Spend further time touring this incredible site throughout the day. You might see temples such as Banteay Srei. You'll see it's not a huge temple, but thanks to its intricate stone carvings it is sometimes referred to as ‘the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art’. Preah Khan is another interesting structure to observe. This temple contains a maze of vaulted corridors and is another complex that has been largely reclaimed by the jungle. Later, if you have time, perhaps indulge in a traditional Khmer massage back in town – a great way to unwind after a day's walking.

Accommodation

Included Activities

Meals Included

In the morning, visit Angkor Children’s Hospital Friends Centre. It helps treat poor children in Siem Reap and surrounding provinces as well as providing training for health professionals from all over Cambodia. The Friends Centre features rotating art and photography exhibitions as well as the work of founder Kenro Izu. Later, in the afternoon, travel into the countryside to a local village, take a walk through the rice fields and learn about Cambodian stilt homes and life in a typical farming village. Watch a buffalo and cows return to home after work in the fields, and (season depending) see how rice and other crops are grown. At sunset you stop to enjoy a drink at a scenic point overlooking the countryside. Return back to town for an included dinner at a great local restaurant.

Days

12

Price from

€2,085EUR

Delve deeper into Cambodia on this unforgettable journey from Phmon Penh to Angkor.

From the wondrous temples of Angkor to the dark legacy of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia is a country that exudes history from every corner. Between Phnomh Penh and Siem Reap, this journey takes you away from the well-worn tourist trails and into the provinces, where the heart and soul of the country is found in smiling Khmer villagers, hidden temples and sun-kissed fields of rice and bamboo. Taste and cook traditional culinary delights, witness farmers on their daily rituals and join Buddhist monks in their sacred blessings on this inspiring 12-day journey.

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking.
2. A single supplement is available on this trip, subject to availability. Please contact your sales agent if you would like to book this. Please note the single supplement is available on every night of this trip.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.